Soapwort

Soapwort is a herbaceous perennial found on riverbanks and ditches or in forests and undergrowth. It is a hermaphrodite plant producing white or pink fragrant flowers which are pollinated by butterflies.  In the past, people used its leaves and rhizomes, which have cleansing and foaming properties thanks to their content of saponins, for cleaning woolens and bleaching thread and lace.  Soap can actually be made from soapwort by boiling the whole plant (particularly the rhizome) in water. Arab doctors in the Middle Ages recommended soapwort to help treat scabs, leprosy and ulcers. These benefits were recognized even earlier by the Romans, who also used the plant as a depurative.  In the 12th century, Saint Hildegard prescribed soapwort for eye problems, ringing in the ears, chest diseases and internal ulcers. In the following centuries, many doctors used it to treat gout, rheumatism and even syphilis.